December 28, 2009
Hello Everyone!
Christmas time has come and gone. Deidra and I hope that it was a very happy and memorable Christmas for all of you. It was a busy time here at the Kosterman / Brown-John household. Deidra's parents spent Christmas with us for the first time in five years. I did lots of cooking and cleaning and still had time for an afternoon poker match. Lots of drinks and laughs, as it should be. The kids loved their gifts.
On the music front. We're still awaiting our schedule for the Olympics. There will be several shows over the course of the Olympic and Paralympic games. The dates will be posted on our page, and who knows, we may see you at one of them. We'll be getting into the studio to record more songs as soon as we can too!
The ground is frosty here in BC, but no snow at this time. January and February are usually the coldest though, so we still may see some more of the white stuff.
Deidra and I would like to say a big thanks to all of those who sent cards and wishes this year. We both truly appreciate the kindness. Looking forward to 2010.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
December 17, 2009
Congratulations to Patsy Touchet of Hawg Wild bar in Westlake Louisiana! Patsy is the winner of the necklace auction. Thank you very much Patsy for the amazing support and friendship. We truly hope that you treasure the necklace. It is one of a kind!
The lights and tree are up and we are almost ready for Christmas. Just a few more things to get and we'll be ready. Deidra and I hope that everyone is enjoying the spirit of the season!
Take care everyone :)
December 8, 2009
Christmas time is fast approaching. Here on the southwest coast of Canada we still have no snow. Hoping that we get some in time to make it a white Christmas.
The auction for the necklace has 7 days left. Lisa's bid of 160.00 is holding strong and may be the winning bid. You never know who's watching though, and someone might sneak a last minute bid in. Either way we are pleased :)
The lights are finally up on the house and the decorations inside are looking fantastic. Deidra is very good with making things look pretty. We enjoyed two of our favorite Christmas movies last night... The Santa Clause, with Tim Allen, and Home Alone. Nothing like a good Christmas movie to get you into the holiday spirit. Those who want to know my favorite Christmas movie... it's Christmas Vacation, with Chevy Chase.
Take care everyone and enjoy the holiday season!
Nov 13th, 2009
Our good friend and major supporter, Barb, has made a one-of-a-kind necklace that we will be auctioning off soon to raise funds to head back into the studio. We hope to get a big step closer to recording my tribute to the United States called "America". The lyrics are in the lyrics blog.
It has been a pretty slow time of year for us, but we remain hopeful that Shenia Moyer at In The Spotlight Entertainment will have some bookings for us for the spring and summer of next year. It will be good to get back on the road and bring the music to those who have been asking when we'll be in there area.
Fame Games continues to go well. We just entered Cut Loose into the contest. So far You May Never Get the Chance again is the song that went the furthest. My sound is continually compared to The Eagles by the Fame Games panel. Nothing to be ashamed of there. We'll continue our involvement there as the radio airplay is extremely widespread. Getting a song on a Q Show means hundreds of thousands of listeners and industry people get to hear the song, so it's worth it for us. Please continue to support the songs there http://www.meermusic.com/content/artists/public/digipres.asp?iid=43609
Take care everyone, and have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for all the kind comments and messages :)
Michael
Sept 11, 2009
This is and will always be a very important day for me and for anyone who hopes and prays for freedom. It's important to acknowledge that mistakes have been made in the past by all, and that it is time to forgive, but never forget. It is time to begin a new long lasting peace for the sake of our children and of the world. We must have the strength to begin again.
In honor of those who were lost on September 11th, 2001 I am posting the lyrics to my tribute to the United States. This is a song to be recorded one day... it's called America!AmericaWords by M Kosterman and R Lei
Music by M KostermanAsk not what she can do
The breath you take she takes with you
Fill her with pride, honor those who gave their lives
Who now lay side by side
CHORUS
Lift her up, don't let her down
She no longer needs a crown
Though she's strong she depends on you
to wear her red white and blue
America, America
Freedom is her gift to you
America, America
She will always love you
Trust this page of historyHave faith in God, your liberty
The sun will rise on her broad stripes and bright stars
o'er the land of the free
CHORUS
LEAD BREAK
CHORUS
America, AmericaI will always love you
Aug 27, 2009
The ride continues. From August 24th to the 31st I will be the featured community artist on CMT Canada. You can check out their page at www.cmt.ca
I Love Her Anyway is still doing well at Fame Games. We're one step away from making it to the quarter finals which is the beginning of the radio show. Your votes and reviews are still very much needed. To help out please go to www.meermusic.com/content/votes/vote.asp?tid=33046
You Turned My World Around is now available for download at iTunes. Those of you who wish to download it, or other songs, just click here ---> www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=michael%20kosterman
We now have agents working to make sure we're busy performing live by next summer. It takes a while in this business to get things rolling, as the venues do book far in advance. We will post shows as they are announced!
I've also been working on "Keep On Lyin'". It has taken me some time to find the music and melody line to go with what are probably my most powerful lyrics to date. The first verse and chorus have been worked out and that is the tough part. The rest usually falls into place after that. I hope to have it completed in the coming weeks.
There is a big party coming up and it's in Vegas! We are currently working on planning a Fan Event in Las Vegas. I'm pretty excited about it, and can't wait to have more details for you. I do know that it will include a live show and a group dinner.
Aug 6, 2009
Good things continue to happen for Michael and his music! GarageBand.com has awarded I Love Her Anyway the Country Track of the Day for Sunday August 9th. Awards are announced in advance in order for us to let people know about it. This site is a new attempt to gain some recognition from the industry for Michael's music. This award is a good sign since Michael not only wrote it and sings it, he also produced the track. A sign that his abilities are expanding and growing. Go to http://www.garageband.com/artist/michaelkosterman to check it out.
From August 24th to the 31st Michael will be the Featured Community Artist of the Week on CMT Canada. Many thanks to the CMT Webmaster for this honour. Visit the CMT Canada site at www.cmt.ca
Michael has also joined the Fame Games, an Indie Music Promoter associated with ABC. Michael's song I Love Her Anyway is showing signs of doing very well. Songs that make it all the way are aired in several countries to hundreds of thousands of listeners, and some artists are signed from this exposure. To vote for Michael go to http://www.meermusic.com/content/votes/vote.asp?tid=33046
The quest to complete the CD continues and in the meantime Michael continues to write. He's looking forward to recording again soon. Myspace continues to be a place of great success for the music. Michael has been one of the top three unsigned country artists in Canada for several months now. The fanbase continues to grow and there are signs that, even without commercial success, Michael's fanbase could reach enormous proportions over the next year.
It has only been a couple of weeks since the search for bookings began. This is the first time since going solo that Michael is seriously working toward getting on the road and touring. The music industry books well in advance, so it may take until next spring or summer to arrange a series of shows. We will announce them as soon as they are booked.
Thank you to those of you who continue to support Michael and his music.
We appreciate it very much.
June 15th, 2009
We're back from Nashville! What an amazing time we had with our Posse down there. Riding into the city and seeing that skyline for the first time was something I'll never forget. A huge thank you to posse member and good friend Marie Willson from Langley BC for making this trip possible for us. Also joining Robert, Deidra and I on the trip down was Marie's Mom, Darcy, who appeared to have a wonderful time on the trip.
The events started on Wednesday at the Nashville Broadcasting Network for our radio and TV interviews as well as our live performance of The Range In My Mind and Easy to Leave. Mike and Keith Bradford were incredible hosts and we can't thank them enough for having us. The radio interview aired on June 11th, but the TV interview and performance will air on July 15th. Check out the NBN atwww.nashvillebroadcastingnetwork.com
We're extremely happy to say that Mike & Keith Bradford now have the Nashville Broadcasting Radio Network. A radio station in Nashville that plays an incredible variety of great music. Our songs can be requested there, so please check out the station and request Michael Kosterman songs at www.nbrn.fm
Once again a huge thank you to Mike & Keith Bradford!
After the show Robert Lei, Deidra and I were kicking back at the hotel when our good friend Vickie showed up. It was an amazing meeting, and we immediately began having a blast with our new friend from Michigan. Vickie brought with her the Posse badges and an addition to our family... Roadie the sock monkey, who now travels everywhere with us and was even rumored to have been seen on Nashville television during fan fare. Roadie is in countless pictures that we will be sure to post soon.
The next day, Thursday, we joined by Posse members Sue & Blake at the hotel. After a warm greeting we headed down to the Douglas Corner Cafe for the 5th Annual Mark Trail Music Showcase. What an amazing evening that was. The show kicked off with a performance by Deborah Allen and was followed by superb performances from some of the finest new voices in country music.
Robert Lei and I were joined by John Foster on stage to perform our songs The Range in My Mind and Easy to Leave. The fact that this was my Mom's birthday and the first year without her, made it a very special moment for me. I know she was with me there on that stage, and she was proud.
Performing with John Foster was a real honor and he did a fantastic job for us. Robert and I both look forward to performing with him again in the future.
Before we knew it the night was over, but what a night it was. Mark Trail was a class act and he should be commended for his efforts in this truly special event! Thanks Mark. We are extremely grateful and we hope to see you again soon. Please visit Mark at www.marktrailmusic.com
After the show posse members Sue, Blake and Vickie joined us for dinner at Demos downtown and we experienced some of the energy and excitement created by the huge crowds in town for the Music Festival. A great way to cap off an amazing day. Thanks Sue & Blake!!
On Friday we acted like tourists and enjoyed a fabulous breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Riversgate with the posse. We then headed up to Opryland for the first time and took in the history and got some great pictures. Near the General Jackson I was asked to practice the national anthem for the posse, so I did it in a gazebo. Pictures are in our photo albums. Afterward we headed downtown to the Ryman Auditorium. Experiencing these historic places is something I will not soon forget. We headed back to the the hotel for drinks after long and tiring day in the Nashville heat. Tammy Brewington, from the Fairgrounds Speedway stopped by to introduce herself and to give us the details for the event at the Speedway the next day. It was a true pleasure meeting Tammy, and I sang the anthem for her, just so she could see that I could actually pull it off lol. We visited for a while and then she headed back to work.
Saturday our good friend Vickie headed back to Michigan. We had such a great time with her, and Deidra and I are sure to be seeing her again soon. Love ya Vickie!! Thank you for everything, especially Roadie :)
Later that day our friends, and posse members, Sue and Blake headed back to Ohio. We can't thank you enough Sue and Blake for being there with us. You were a lot of fun and we hope to see you again soon!
We arrived at the Fairgrounds Speedway and were met again by Tammy Brewington. She had arranged a VIP Suite for us! Wow, what a treat. Before the races, and the anthem, Robert Lei and I wandered around the Speedway grounds checking things out. We met a wonderful gentleman and talked with him for a while before finding out he was Jimmy Denson, the father of the Speedway owner Danny Denson. I'm telling you all, oops sorry... y'all lol... that these are the nicest and most welcoming folks we've ever met. We were also introduced to Larry Weakley and the rest of the kind folks at the speedway. We felt extremely welcome by everyone there.
When it came time to perform the anthem Tammy came to let me know, and Deidra and I walked down the steps to the stage between the grandstand and the track. My heart was going 200 miles an hour and all I could think was... "don't forget the words... or your dead" lol. Well, after a prayer and an introduction from Larry Weakley I took the stage, faced the crowd and sang my heart out. This truly was one of the highlights of my life, and it was made even better by the response from the crowd after singing the anthem, and by the praises, hand-shakes and salutes that I got on the way back up those stairs to the suite. I had a feeling of accomplishment that I have never had before and it was one of the proudest moments of my life.
Tammy Brewington met us back in the suite and she seemed really pleased about my job on the anthem. She said that Danny Denson was as well, and that made me feel even better. What an experience.
We then had some great food and got ready for the races. The first time for Deidra and I at such an event. The small track races went first and they were extremely exciting to watch. Wrecks were happening almost every minute and you could just feel the tension between the drivers from your seat.
It was our incredible pleasure, Deidra and I with Roadie, to ride the in the pace car around the track before the races on the big track. What an amazing feeling that was. Wow, just flying down the straight-away into the corners was a huge blast for us, and we filmed it all. It will be on our page as soon as Deidra can get it there.
We stuck around until the end of the races and talked with Tammy Brewington about possibly coming back to the speedway in the future with the band to perform. She has agreed that we in fact will do that one day. How amazing will that be. It almost guarantees that we will be in Nashville again. Something that means a lot to us.
To Tammy. You were the most incredible host, and I know that you really put a lot of faith in this old Canadian boy to trust me to do a good job for you. God put us together for a reason and it turned out beautifully, I think. We are forever indebted to you for this experience and for your wonderfully kind hospitality. You are simply the best!!
For details on the race and what's happening in the future at the Fairgrounds Speedway go to www.fairgroundsspeedwaynashville.com
If you are a fan and you live in the Nashville area you can see a repeat performance of this event three times over the next week on local Nashville TV.
We headed out on Sunday back to Vancouver with the knowledge that we just experienced the trip of a lifetime. Those of you who have followed my career from the beginning know just how elated I am to be able to write about this trip. For a long time it looked as though it would never happen. This is a testament to never giving up and never letting those who wish to hurt you get you down. We won every battle it took to get us there and we are extremely proud, but it could never have happened without the support from you... the fans and friends that we have made here on Myspace. YOU made this possible and can share proudly in all our happiness. We love and appreciate you all. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God bless you all!!
Michael
